Correction: An earlier version of this story listed the wrong school for elementary-level students. Kenholm Gardens is situated in the Elsmere Elementary School area.

Kenholm Gardens is a neighborhood with a lot to offer and a lot for growing families to love.

The neighborhood, situated between Kenwood Avenue and Bender Lane, is a charming, quiet place with winding, tree-lined streets. The cherry blossoms were in bloom and looked lovely during a recent weekend drive through the neighborhood.

So did the lawns at many houses, which were already green, lush and manicured. A few neighbors were out taking advantage of a sunny spring Sunday, spreading seeds, weeding and planting flowers. Others were riding bikes or walking their dogs, common suburban scenes here.

That Kenholm Gardens is a mature subdivision, built in the 1960s, only adds to the area's charm.

It also explains the size of the houses. More than a few of them -- an interesting mix of Colonials, ranches, raised ranches and split levels -- are from 2,000 and 3,000 square feet, providing lots of room for families to spread out. It's not unusual to find houses with five bedrooms, a nice perk for families that need the extra space.

The subdivision also has smaller homes in the 1,200- to 1,500-square-foot range, but they tend to go quickly. There's a sale pending for a 1,200-square-foot ranch at 54 The Crossway that is listed at $205,000, according to an online listing by Coldwell Banker Prime Properties.com (http://bit.ly/mQCSwO). The house, listed by CM Fox (http://bit.ly/iQjF1z), went on the market April 1.

There is no shortage of driveway basketball hoops, backyard jungle gyms, trampolines and sports nets at homes here. But Kenholm Gardens has something that most subdivisions don't have: a neighborhood in-ground pool. The pool, at 78 Dumbarton Drive, is operated by a neighborhood group called the Kenholm Pool Association (http://www.kenholmpool.com); the pool is set to open once school recesses for the summer.

Pool use isn't free; memberships range from $300 to $450 for families and from $200 to $250 for individuals. But memberships include the use of gas and charcoal grills for picnics, chaise lounges, chairs and picnic tables, and play equipment for kids. Swimming lessons are also offered at the pool. Go to kenholmpool.com or email the association at kenholmpool@gmail.com to join or for more information.

Finally, the subdivision's location puts it close to grocery stores, shopping and services, easy access to the New York State Thruway and a quick commute to downtown Albany.

According to the 2009-10 state Report Card on the Schools, the Bethlehem district had an enrollment of approximately 5,116 students. The high school had 1,729 students enrolled that year. In 2009-10, 96 percent of graduating seniors earned a Regents diploma.

Commuting

Kenholm Gardens is bordered by Kenwood Avenue to the north and east, Bender Lane and the Delmar Bypass (State Route 32) to the south, and Pine Street and Alden Court to the west. The neighborhood is accessible via Kenwood Avenue and Bender Lane, which intersects with Route 32 to the north and State Route 9W to the east.

Route 32 east intersects with Route 9W, which traverses north and leads to on-ramps to Interstate 787 -- and the cities of Albany and Rensselaer, and the New York State Thruway. That's about a 20-minute ride in rush hour traffic.

Shopping and recreation

The Glenmont Plaza is at the intersection of Route 9W and Feura Bush Road, a short distance from Kenholm Gardens. The strip mall has a CVS drugstore, Marshall's and Famous Shoes. Two gas stations with convenience stores are close to the intersection.

A Price Chopper is in The Shoppes at Town Square on Route 9W. A third shopping strip mall, Bethlehem Town Center, has a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Lowe's. Other small shops, stores and restaurants are in the shopping centers and along routes 9W and 32.

Magee Park on Kenwood Avenue is home to the Tri-Village Little League. The sports complex has several fenced ballfields and plenty of parking. Elm Avenue Park, at 261 Elm Ave. in Delmar, has a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, picnic facilities, a street hockey rink, a dog park and a fitness trail.

The nine-hole Colonial Acres Golf Course is on Feura Bush Road, with an entrance on East Saybrook Drive. Established in 1964, the golf course is a certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary and has won awards for its environmentally sensitive practices.

Built in 1965, the house has hardwood floors, a slate foyer, large bedrooms, a master suite with a walk-in closet and bathroom, a first-floor bedroom, newer windows, roof, driveway and siding, a generator and a basement recreation room.

Taxes

Homeowners pay $7.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for Bethlehem town, Albany County and special district property taxes. Bethlehem assesses property at 97 percent of market value. The Bethlehem school property tax rate (which includes library taxes) for 2010-11 is $20.86 per $1,000.

Taxes on a home valued at $300,000 in the Bethlehem school district are approximately $8,124 annually.